EFFECT OF THYROID HORMONE REPLACEMENT ON RESPIRATORY FUNCTION TESTS IN HYPOTHYROID WOMEN

Abstract

Background: Respiratory system, like other body systems and organs, is affected by hypothyroidism. Many patients of hypothyroidism complain of fatigue and exercise intolerance. These might be due to limited pulmonary reserve. This study was carried out to observe FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC and PEF in hypothyroid Punjabi women grouped on the basis of duration of treatment received. Methods: Twenty-six recently diagnosed hypothyroid women (Group-A), and 22 hypothyroid women taking medication for the last 6–8 months (Group-B) were subjected to estimation of FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC and PEF and compared with 25 apparently euthyroid subjects (Group-C). They were also assessed for serum T₄ and serum TSH. Data were analysed by One-way ANOVA with Post-Hoc Tukey HSD and Pearson’s correlation. Results: The mean values for FVC, FEV₁ and PEF were more in treated hypothyroid subjects and euthyroid controls compared to untreated hypothyroid patients and the differences were highly significant (p<0.001), although no significant correlation could be derived between serum T₄, serum TSH, and the pulmonary parameters. Conclusion: In hypothyroid women, there was a significant difference in the lung functions between those not taking any treatment and those on thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Lung functions can be used as a tool to assess the effectiveness of treatment of hypothyroidism.